On the heels of an informational panel meeting on April 5th at the David L. Eisler Center regarding advanced battery components manufacturer Gotion Inc potentially coming to the area, rumors have been spreading locally. 

 

One rumor of note is that between '200-500 Chinese nationals are coming to Big Rapids and to be housed on the campus of Ferris State University'. 

 

Ferris State University President Dr. Bill Pink heard these rumors and issued a video statement on Ferris' YouTube page on Thursday. 

 

In the video, Pink says he  was recently made aware of certain things that have been said about Ferris State University and these things are at best rumors and at worst just falsehoods.  

 

"I heard a falsehood just last evening that had to do with our university housing and planning to house, I believe it was said "300 Chinese nationals who will be working for this company." Pink said in the video. "First of all, one of the best things about hearing things is to find out if you're hearing it first, second, third, fourth or fifth hand. Let me give it to you first hand, because these kinds of things are not approved without me being the one saying 'yes'.  As president of this university, I can tell you that no one from Gotion Inc has had a conversation with me about asking Ferris State University to house anyone on this campus. I've had no meetings. That's your first hand account." Pink said in the video statement. 

 

The panel meeting on April 5th at 6:30pm will feature representatives from a variety of fields including, roads, fire/hazmat,energy, waste, water and representatives from Gotion Inc., Ferris State University and the Right Place economic non-profit organization.